CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Monday marks the one-year anniversary of Duke Energy's massive coal ash spill into the Dan River. Thirty-nine thousand tons of the toxic sludge leaked into the river.
Duke Energy officials told Channel 9 that they've vacuumed out just under 10 percent of that coal ash from the river, which meets EPA standards.
A local environmental group said with 90 percent of the coal ash still in the river, the water is still contaminated.
Duke has said it may still consider burying coal ash at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The city said it would give Duke Energy 100 acres near the end of the runways to create a lined landfill for the coal ash in exchange for other land occupied by Duke Energy.
Duke says it's also looking at other options. Channel 9 will continue to follow the ongoing cleanup efforts.
Past coverage of the coal ash spill:
- Environmentalists outraged over coal ash spill
- Duke Energy accepts blame after coal ash spill
- 9 Investigates: Safety concerns follow coal ash spill
- EPA to roll out new coal ash rules by end of December
- EPA sets first national standard for coal waste
WSOC
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